Why start with an MVP?

It proves the core fun within your cost & safety constraints before you spend on prototyping, tooling and lab tests.

Do you coordinate with my factory?

Yes — we’ll pre-discuss feasibility and roll their feedback into the PRD.

How early do you consider compliance?

From day zero. We note likely EN 71 / ASTM F963 / CPSIA routes and age-grading implications in the PRD.

How do you handle IP?

We can sign your MNDA or use ours, and we sign NNNs with every prototyping and manufacturing partner.

What happens after PRD v1.0?

We move to Industrial Design & Mechanical Engineering using the PRD as the single source of truth.

Manufacturing and Production Management for Toys

Manufacturing & Production Management for Toys

From PO to on-time shipment. We manage production with your factory or ours-timelines, QC& AQL, golden sample, deposits & payment terms, and shipping docs-so you ship on time without surprises.

Request a production plan

Back to Toygineering

Manufacturing is where timing, quality, and cost collide. We've managed countless toy productions under tight timelines-choosing the right manufacturer for your product and volume, tuning the line, coordinating QC, and protecting your delivery date. We can work with your current factory or run through our own supply chain.

Artwork rules (designer checklist)

With your factory

We manage production on your behalf with your existing manufacturer.
Line planning, QC/AQL, and shipment gating
Factory reviews & improvement actions
Fee: hourly/day rate (transparent timesheets)

Through our supply chain

We source and manage approved makers matched to your toy & volume.
Vendor selection, quotes, and production management
QC oversight and shipping documents
Fee: commission per unit produced

We can also step in mid-production to triage and fix issues with a running line.

What this phase achieves

On-time, in-full

Locked production plan and shipping date with buffers and gates.

Clean documents

Pls/POs, CI/PL, test reports, B/L, COO, and packing/marking all aligned.

QC that fits your risk

In-line checks, DUPRO, and final inspection set to your AQL.

Extra sales samples

First run includes additional units at production price for sell-in.

Signed golden sample

Stamped with company, date, PO-used for in-line QC and sign-off.

Manufacturing contract (don't skip this)

⚠️ A clear, signed contract protects your IP, tooling, schedule, quality, and payment terms. We provide a free bilingual (EN/中文) template you can adapt with your buyer and factory: China Manufacturing Agreement.

We're not a law firm—this is practical guidance; get legal review for your situation.

Ownership & tooling

You own molds/tooling and related CAD/CAM files
Tools numbered/tagged; factory must store, maintain, insure
No overrun/side sales; release on termination (tooling return)

Compliance & testing

All lab reports on file before shipment (unless client okays risk)
Retailer add-ons (e.g., Walmart) for inline QC/lab testing
Artwork/label sign-off and document pack requirements

Quality & acceptance

Golden sample prevails for look/feel (see golden sample in glossary)
AQL levels & inspection rights defined (see AQL & QC in glossary)
Fail actions: rework/re-inspect/chargebacks & containment plan

Change control

ECO process for any spec/color/material change
Cost & schedule impact logged before implementation
Sub-supplier & component substitutions need approval

Delivery & payments

Lead-time & 40-50 day production expectation from deposit
Milestones: deposit/balance (e.g., 30/70), or LC; Incoterms & title/risk
Late shipment remedies; split shipments if agreed

IP, confidentiality & disputes

NNN obligations; no subcontracting without consent
Marketing/photo restrictions to avoid early disclosure
Governing law & arbitration venue (e.g., HKIAC/CIETAC), force majeure

Tip: have 2-4 signed golden samples (you + factory line/QC/archive), bind AQL tables to the PO, and attach the latest PRD, artworks, and approved labels as annexes to the contract.

Get the free bilingual templates

Production timeline (typical 40-50 days from deposit)

⚠ Reference only: complexity, materials, and factory load can shift dates. We build buffers and gate each step to avoid late shipping.

PO & deposit (Day O)

Confirm pricing, MOQ, lead-times, payment terms; deposit received; materials reserved.

Line setup & in-line QC (Week 3-5)

Check each station; improve where needed; some retailers (e.g., Walmart) require in-line QC and lab testing.

Raw materials & color (Week 1-2)

Book resin/fabric/print stock; confirm color standards and artworks; line plan approved.

Final QC & carton sealing (Week 5-6)

DUPRO and final inspection against AQL; sign sealed cartons; prepare docs.

PP meeting & pilot run (Week 2-3)

Pre-production checklist;

fixtures/jigs; training; first pilot build for fit & CTQs.

Ship & hand-off (Week 6-7)

Book space; CI/PL/B/L/COO; scan barcodes; pass docs to forwarder; track ETD/ETA.

Injection moulding is very common in toy manufacturing and many factories can have a lot of them in-house.

Painting is crucial to bring your toys to life, spraying being one option amongst so many.

Never forget to check the assembly line and how your toy is being assembled and if the golden sample is being used as reference. Quality control after the product is assembled is also paramount.

AQL & QC (simple and clear)

Defect classes

Critical (safety/legal), Major (function/cosmetic), Minor (small appearance).

Typical AQL targets

We recommend: Critical 0.0,

Major 2.5, Minor 4.0 (ISO 2859-1 / Level |I). Adjust per risk / retailer.

QC options

IQC (incoming), DUPRO (during), FRI/PSI (final). External inspectors or our team.

We map inspection points to your line and document rework & re-inspection rules to keep the date.

Golden sample (what to sign, how many)

Sign-off details

Company name, date, PO/order number, and signature on the sample tag
Linked to artworks, test reports, and PRD version

How many to make

1 for you (reference), 2-3 for the factory (line, QC room, archives)
Use for in-line checks and final acceptance

Sales samples

At first run, request extra units at production price
Ship with main lot or separately for sell-in

Shipping & documents (no late delivery)

Payment & terms

Common: deposit at PO, balance before shipment or against B/L. We confirm payment terms, incoterms, and bank details at the start.

Document pack

PI/PO, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, HS codes, COO, test reports, shipping marks, booking, VGM, Sl, and Bill of Lading.

Ship-on-time gates

We gate shipment on QC pass and complete docs. Tracking

ETD/ETA, carton counts,

weights, and pallet patterns are verified.

We recommend all lab test reports before production. When timelines are tight, we'll discuss measured risk and mitigation to ship on time.

On-line problem solving (we fix what can be fixed)

Rapid triage

Station-by-station review, bottleneck mapping, yield/defect analysis, fixture/jig updates, and retraining where needed.

Factory alignment

Daily standups with production & QC; action logs; escalate promptly to management; protect the ship date.

Ready to run a smooth, on-time production?

We'll plan the line, lock QC/AQL, sign golden samples, manage documents, and ship on time-through your factory or ours.